Social security income was created back in the year 1974. It was formed as a part of the Social security Act to replace the federal-state assistance program but has remained to serve the same purposes. Social Security income program was formed to standardize the requirements for receiving Medicaid.

It is estimated that about nine million people in America are beneficiaries of social security income each year. The Affordable Care Act has expanded Medicaid coverage across America. It has created an opportunity for states to grant Medicaid eligibility to individuals up to 65 years of age, earning up to 133% of the federal poverty level. Under this act, low-income adults without children can be provided Medicaid with a guaranteed coverage in every state without requiring a waiver. Medicaid, being a Federal-State health insurance program, is jointly funded. It caters to low-income and impoverished individuals or families. Its coverage extends to children, elderly, blind, and disabled individuals as well. Others who are eligible for receiving federally assisted income maintenance payments can also be eligible for Medicaid.

Where Is Medicaid & SSI Provided?

There are thirty-two states and the District of Columbia that provide Medicaid eligibility to those who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI ) benefits. The SSI and the Medicaid application in these states are the same. Medicaid and SSI eligibility start the same months. With the exception of the following states: Alaska, Kansas, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Nebraska, and the Northern Mariana Islands – the jurisdictions require the filing of a separate application in these states. However, the same rules apply in determining the eligibility for Medicaid. The following States that use their own rules for deciding the eligibility for Medicaid are Hawaii, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Virginia. Their rules are different from the SSI’s rules. Applicants in these states are subject to a separate application for Medicaid.

Medicaid Coverage for SSI Recipients

An SSI recipient continues to be eligible for Medicaid, despite receiving SSI benefits. This, however, dependent on whether the state provides Medicaid to SSI recipients. If the person’s state does not provide Medicaid on SSI, he may not qualify for it. Medicaid coverage tends to continue even if the total income of an SSI recipient becomes too high to receive an SSI cash payment.

In order to qualify a person must fulfill the following conditions:

He/she should be eligible for an SSI cash payment and must have received it for at least one month prior to applying for Medicaid

He/she must have a qualifying disability

He/she must meet all other eligibility rules currently effective, which includes the resources test

Those who need Medicaid in order to work

He/she must have a gross earned income that is not sufficient to replace SSI,
Medicaid, or any other publicly funded care

What Are Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits?

SSI is an abbreviation for Supplemental Security Income. As the term suggests, SSI is an extra form of payment provided mainly to people with disabilities in order to reimburse them. It is essentially a program designed to provide funds on a month to month basis. The elderly people are also among eligible recipients for SSI benefits. SSI is also the only program that assists disabled people who fall in the following two categories: disabled people who have never worked or and disabled people who haven’t worked long enough in recent years. Technically, these two categories of people cannot qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). SSI program, however, it is not easy to qualify for because of its stringent criteria. It has set very low-income limits and asset limits in order for the recipient to receive a supplemental income.

SSI Monetary Amount

The monthly payable amount is determined based on the federal benefit rate. Effective from February 2017, the FBR amount is $735 and $1,103 per month for individuals and couples respectively. The FBR rate is subject to increase annually in case there is a Social Security cost of living adjustment.

State Supplements

A state supplement, which is available in most states, is added to the federal benefit payment. This amount varies between states from a range of $10 to $20. This amount is further determined by whether one is single, married, lives in a nursing home or with others. Every state, with exception of Arizona, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and West Virginia, contributes funds to the federal SSI payment.

Income Exclusion

The FBR is assigned as the maximum federal monthly SSI payment receivable. Earned income of a person can be subtracted from his federal monthly SSI payment. Even if a person is provided food and shelter that he doesn’t have to pay for by somebody else, these expenses will be subtracted from his SSI payment, because the Social Security Administration will count this as a form of income. However, state supplement can still be added to a person’s federal monthly payment as an addition.

Who Qualify For SSI From The Government

People who are 65 years of age and above, disabled with limited sources of income qualify to receive social security income from the government. These benefits are distributed monthly with the aim of managing the minimum level of income for those special individuals. The program is controlled and managed by the Social Security Administration. It is therefore very important for you to contact and visit the nearest local Security Office so that you can commence your application. Back in the year 2016, the benefit payments amounted to $ 1100 for couples and $ 733 for individuals. All states apart from Mississipi, West Virginia, Arizona and North Dakota supplement the benefit payments. Therefore you might receive a higher Supplemental security income benefits depending on the state you live in. An official social security representative is responsible to inform you about your benefit payment which you will receive on day one of each month.

Who Qualifies?

To qualify to receive the social security income, you must be more than 65 years of age, and be blind.

You must be a citizen of the United States or you have a legal residency in the United States.

You must meet resource and income limits.

Social Security income and supplemental security income benefits are not designed to benefit adults only, parents and guardians of kids with disabilities and have insufficient income can apply on behalf of their children

What Will TheyDetermine?

The requirements for receiving Medicaid will be determined and every income you receive from other sources will be counted to determine your social security income eligibility. These incomes may include but not limited to child support benefits, military benefits, retirement payment benefits and even shelter and food that is provided to you by a relative or a friend as well as the normal salaries and wages you earn from self-employment and formal employment. The social security office encourages people not to include all the incomes earned from wages. Back in the year 2016, the income limit for couples was $1100 and for individuals, it was $ 733 which is equal to the total federal benefit amount.

What Are the Rules For Social Security Income Eligibility?

Supplemental security income benefits is a monthly income or a benefit program that is designed to assist the disabled or older people who are above 65 years of age and have insufficient resources and limited income. Social security income is a program that is controlled by the social security Administration. It is financed by the U.S funds treasury. It is not funded by social security taxes. Social security income program is not like the social security disability that assists people who have no work credits. These are people who have never worked in their life or have not worked for a long period of time. This program is also available to young kids who are blind or disabled. Given that the social security income is administered and managed on the federal standards level, the application procedures are almost similar in all the states. Some of the states are known for supplementing the federal benefit amount, to yield higher payments for some people depending on the state one is living. For you to receive the benefit payment, you need to fill your details on an additional state application.

Requirements To Receive Medicaid

The requirements for receiving Medicaid is that you must be a U.S citizen. You must also be 65 years of age and above and you meet resource and income limits. Most people who live in public properties such as jail, halfway house and country rest home are not eligible to benefit from Social Security Income except in special cases such as:

The individual living in a public society home with less than 16 residents.

The individual lives in a public property exclusively to get job training or approved education.

The individual is living in an emergency homeless shelter(public).

The individual person is living in a property where Medicaid has promised to pay half of the cost.

Medicaid and Medicare

If you are receiving Social Security Income benefits, you qualify for Medicaid. In most cases, your social security income application will serve as your Medicaid application. In some few states, you are required to fill out your application forms separately. As it is evidence that Medicaid is linked to Social Security Income, Medicare is linked to Social Security benefits. Any person receiving both the social security and social security income are eligible to receive both the Medicare and the Medicaid. Individuals with both Medicare and Social Security Income coverage are not supposed to fill applications to be eligible for another help with Medicare coverage

About Author

Senior Health Insight is a free online resource for helping both seniors and caring families gain an understanding of the various healthcare solutions available to cater to a variety of circumstances. Senior Health Insight was created by health and insurance professionals to provide a one-stop information source for senior health care. Let Senior Health Insight help you and your family navigate Senior Health complexities with confidence.

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About

Senior Health Insight is a free online resource for helping both seniors and caring families gain an understanding of the various healthcare solutions available to cater to a variety of circumstances. Senior Health Insight was created by health and insurance professionals to provide a one-stop information source for senior health care. Let Senior Health Insight help you and your family navigate Senior Health complexities with confidence.